You can withdraw cash from Robinhood to your linked bank account, but the money takes time to arrive and comes with rules about which funds you can move
Robinhood lets you transfer cash out to a bank account you've already connected to your profile. The process itself takes a few clicks in the app, but the money doesn't land when ready — it typically takes one to three business days, depending on your bank. Not all the cash sitting in your Robinhood account can leave when ready: unsettled funds from recent stock or crypto sales are locked for a holding period, and any money you borrowed through Robinhood's margin feature has to stay in the account until you pay back the loan.
The rules around what you can withdraw depend on whether you're using a standard cash account or a margin account, and whether you've recently bought or sold securities. Understanding these restrictions before you try to move money saves you from hitting a withdrawal block and having to wait.
Key Takeaways
- Cash you deposit into Robinhood is available to withdraw when ready, but proceeds from selling stocks or crypto are held for one to three business days before you can move them.
- Robinhood processes withdrawals to your linked bank account in one to three business days after you request them, though your bank may take additional time to show the deposit.
- If you have a margin account and owe Robinhood money, you cannot withdraw cash beyond what you've deposited — borrowed funds must stay in the account.
- You can only withdraw to a bank account you've already added and verified in your Robinhood profile; you cannot withdraw to a different bank or to cash.
How to request a withdrawal in the Robinhood app
Open the Robinhood app and tap the account icon at the bottom right of the screen. Select "Transfers" and then choose "Withdraw." The app will show you how much cash is available to withdraw right now — this is the amount that has settled and is not tied up in recent trades or margin debt.
Enter the amount you want to move and confirm which linked bank account should receive it. Robinhood will show you an estimated arrival date based on your bank's processing speed. Tap to confirm, and the withdrawal request is submitted. You'll see the transaction listed in your transfer history, and you can check the status there as it moves through the process.
If the amount you want to withdraw is grayed out or unavailable, it means that cash is either unsettled from a recent sale, held as collateral for a margin loan, or reserved for a pending transaction. You'll need to wait for the hold to lift before you can move that money.
The difference between settled and unsettled cash
When you deposit money into Robinhood, it's available to trade with when ready, but when you sell a stock or cryptocurrency, the proceeds don't settle right away. Settled cash is money that has completed its holding period and can be withdrawn. Unsettled cash is money from a recent sale that Robinhood is holding for one to three business days.
The holding period exists because stock and crypto exchanges need time to confirm the sale and move the funds. During this time, you can use unsettled cash to buy other securities, but you cannot withdraw it to your bank. If you try to withdraw unsettled cash and then buy something else before the original sale settles, you may trigger a "good faith violation" on your account, which can restrict your trading for 90 days.
You can see which of your cash is settled and which is unsettled by opening your account and looking at the cash balance breakdown. Robinhood displays both figures so you know exactly how much you can move out right now.
Withdrawal timing and bank processing
Robinhood typically processes your withdrawal request within one business day, but the money's arrival at your bank depends on your bank's processing speed. Most banks show the deposit within one to three business days of Robinhood sending it. Some banks are faster — certain online banks deposit funds overnight — while others may take the full three days.
Weekends and bank holidays can extend the timeline. If you request a withdrawal on a Friday afternoon, Robinhood may not process it until Monday, and your bank may not show it until Wednesday or Thursday. The app will give you an estimated arrival date when you request the withdrawal, but that's an estimate, not a may provide.
If the money doesn't show up by the estimated date, check your Robinhood transfer history to confirm the withdrawal was processed. Then contact your bank to ask whether the deposit is pending or if there's a problem with the transfer. Robinhood can provide your bank with the transaction details if needed.
Margin accounts and withdrawal restrictions
If you have a margin account with Robinhood, you can borrow money to trade, but that borrowed money cannot leave your account. You can only withdraw cash that you've deposited yourself or earned through dividends and interest. Any proceeds from selling securities can be withdrawn once they settle, but if you've used margin to buy securities, a portion of your cash is held as collateral for the loan.
Robinhood calculates your "buying power" and your "cash available to withdraw" separately. Your buying power includes borrowed funds, but your cash available to withdraw does not. If you want to withdraw more cash, you need to either pay back the margin loan or sell securities and wait for them to settle.
If you have an unsettled margin call — meaning your account value has dropped and Robinhood is asking you to deposit more cash or sell securities — you may not be able to withdraw any cash until the call is resolved. Robinhood will notify you if this happens and tell you what action is needed.
Linked bank accounts and withdrawal destinations
You can only withdraw to a bank account you've already added and verified in your Robinhood profile. To add a new account, go to your account settings, select "Transfers," and choose "Add Bank Account." Robinhood will ask for your routing number and account number, and then verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) that you'll need to confirm.
Once verified, that account appears in your withdrawal options. You cannot withdraw to a different account, to a credit card, or to cash. If you need to move money to a different bank, you'll have to withdraw to your current linked account first, then transfer it from there.
If you remove a linked bank account from your profile, you cannot use it for withdrawals anymore, even if you've used it before. You would need to add it again and go through the verification process.
What happens if a withdrawal fails
Occasionally a withdrawal will fail — usually because the bank account information is incorrect, the account has been closed, or there's a mismatch between the name on your Robinhood account and the name on your bank account. When this happens, Robinhood will return the money to your cash balance and notify you of the reason.
Check the transfer history to see the failure reason. If it's a bank account issue, you may need to update or re-verify the account. If the name doesn't match, contact your bank to confirm the correct account holder name, then update it in Robinhood if needed. Once you've fixed the problem, you can request the withdrawal again.
If a withdrawal fails repeatedly, contact Robinhood support with your transfer history details. They can investigate whether there's a problem on Robinhood's end or confirm that the issue is with your bank account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money the same day I deposit it?
Yes, money you deposit is available to withdraw when ready. However, if you use that deposited cash to buy stocks or crypto and then sell them, the proceeds from the sale are held for one to three business days before you can withdraw them.
What's the minimum or maximum amount I can withdraw?
Robinhood does not publish a stated minimum withdrawal amount, though most banks require at least $1 for a transfer. There is no maximum — you can withdraw your entire cash balance if it's all settled. Some banks may have their own limits on incoming transfers, so check with your bank if you're moving a very large amount.
Why does Robinhood say I have buying power but no cash to withdraw?
Buying power includes borrowed money from margin, but cash available to withdraw does not. If you've used margin to buy securities, that borrowed amount is collateral and cannot leave your account. You can only withdraw cash you've deposited or earned through dividends.
Can I cancel a withdrawal after I've requested it?
If Robinhood hasn't processed the withdrawal yet, you may be able to cancel it through your transfer history. Once Robinhood has sent the money to your bank, you cannot cancel it through the app — you would need to contact your bank to attempt to reverse the deposit.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I withdraw?
Withdrawing your own cash is not a taxable event. However, if you sold securities at a profit before withdrawing, those gains are taxable. Robinhood sends you a tax document at the end of the year showing your gains and losses, which you'll report to the IRS.